Marble bust of 'Clytie'

Roman, about AD 40-50
Said to be from near Naples, Italy

This sculpture was acquired from the family of the Principe
Laurenzano in Naples by the renowned British collector Charles
Townley (1737-1805) during his extended second Grand Tour of Italy
(1771-74). It was to remain one of Townley's favourite
sculptures.

The identity of the subject, a woman emerging from a calyx of
leaves, was much discussed among the antiquaries in Townley's
circle. At first referred to as Agrippina, the bust is still known
as Clytie, a nymph who had fallen in love with the god Helios and
was turned into a sunflower. Townley himself later believed her to
represent Isis in the flower of Lotus.

Modern scholars remain divided over the identity of the bust,
some even claiming that it was made in the eighteenth century.
Others consider it to be an ancient work, representing Antonia
Minor (died AD 38), mother of the emperor Claudius, or a Roman lady
of that period portrayed as Ariadne.

The bust of Clytie figures prominently in Johan Zoffany's iconic
painting of Charles Townley in his library, and was one of three
ancient marbles Townley had printed on his visiting card. It is
said that the sculptor Nollekens always had in stock a marble copy
of the bust for sale, such was her popularity.